Now more than ever it seems as if people across the country are looking for ways that they can save money. One of these ways may be as simple making a bit of a change within your household.
One woman, by the name of Angela, who emailed Money Saving Expert, was able to save more than £1,000 a year simply by switching her water meter. As a rule of thumb, if you're in England or Wales and there are more bedrooms in your home than people, or the same number, it's worth checking if you'd save with a free water meter.
Angela's email read: "Following your tips, we switched to a water meter now our children have left home and our bills went from £1,360 a year to £325 - saving over £1,000 a year. Thank you." So, if your home is still operating without a water meter check out the benefits and how much you could save below.
Should you get a water meter?
If you're in England or Wales, to see if a water meter is right for you, first of all you need to work out if a meter is financially worthwhile. Here's Martin Lewis' rule of thumb: If there are more bedrooms in your home than people, or the same number, check out getting a water meter.
In Scotland, it's not free to have a water meter installed (it's actually quite pricey), so unless you live alone in a manor-type property, you should stick to estimated payments. There are no domestic water charges in Northern Ireland, so no need for a meter.
How much can you save?
It varies depending on your household's usage, but there are regular successes of £100s a year. Use the water meter calculator to do a full check.
Whether a meter's worthwhile depends on your usage, but also your water company. And remember, you can always try it to see if it saves you money.
Most have up to two years to change back free of charge – so if it doesn't work out, ditch it. If you're weighing up whether or not to get a meter, there are some things to be aware of:
- If savings are minimal, stick with certainty. Non-metered water bills give you surety of knowing exactly what you'll pay, regardless of usage.
- You may have up to two years to try it out. Switch to a water meter and, if you change your mind, you may be able to switch back within 12 months, though many companies offer up to 24 months (others don't offer a choice). However, if you move into a home that already has a meter, you can't switch back. Check with your supplier to find out your options.
- Having a water meter shouldn't affect your home's value. Some say meters lower a property's sale price. There's a slim chance it'll put high-use buyers off, but it's rare. So if you're not planning to move soon, ignore it and bag the savings.
- Higher water usage may force you on to a meter. If you use large amounts of water for non-necessities such as swimming pools or sprinklers, or if you live in a water-stressed area, a meter will be fitted automatically. Some water companies – mainly those in south east England – are rolling out metering programmes, meaning households in some areas will need to have a meter fitted and won't have the option to switch back to an unmetered supply.
How to get a water meter
To get a water meter installed, you can head over to your provider's website and see if you can apply – you'll usually need to fill in an application form. It's free to get one installed and water meters can be fitted inside and outside your home.
Once a meter's installed, the supplier should give you an information pack detailing your new charges and update your online account.
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